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Carpets, Lino & Flooring

Leveling wooden floorboards

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.45 PM

Hi, I am renovating a early 1900's property and have found some problems with the flooring. Currently in the lounge there is bare floorboards (which previously had carpets), I am looking to install laminate flooring. The first thing I noticed when pulling up the carpet is the pretty obvious slope from one end of the room to the other. The difference is about 30mm. My question is, what is the best and most cost efficient way to level it out? The floorboards have some gaps in between so would most likely need a layer of ply before any screed or self leveling compound is applied. Should screed be used or self level? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

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2 Answers

Primary Interiors

Rating: 5 out of 5

Chester Le Street

In some cases it is nesessary to lift floorboards and put timber firings on top of the joists.self leveling compound tends to crack on timber over time.Also 30 mm is to much to take up. If the floor has dropped this much it is worth lifting a few boards anyway to find the cause of the problem.

Answered24 November 2016

Mcculloch Builders & Joinery

Rating: 4 out of 5

Selby

A 1900's property ? As previous answer, lift a few floorboards at the lowest end and check the joists themselves for decay. Before you lift them you could gently jump up and down on the low spot to check for any movement. If there is then your joist ends may have rotted and need replacing. or the sleeper walls that support the floor joists have decayed as they were often built on top of soil (no concrete footings). If all is in good order, you can alter the height and level but it's expensive to do using flexible levelling compound from F.Ball.com. Hope this helps

Answered28 November 2016